china is doubling down on r&d. china is doubling down on energy research. we can't do that for economic reasons. >> right. >> i like winning. >> budget is about policy, and it creates your priorities. >> the other thing is, there is a big issue -- big economic issue beyond jobs and beyond the deficits. and that is how do we create an economy in which the middle class is growing, in which people work hard and can get ahead? and all the things that you mentioned are important to that task. so we can't give up on that. >> two other points also. if by going after discretionary -- that's just another form of kicking the can down the road. you know, if you're not going to invest in education or the future, that is no different than not attacking -- >> can i also tell you also, it is -- it's also being a doctor. i always talk about being a doctor that opens up a patient, sees cassi s cancer, closes you you're fine. that's also a doctor who decides they're going to decide to take off a wart. erskine bowles said every dime washington took in went to pay off medicaid